Looking at information from the life insurance industry in the US shows deaths in young adults are soaring. A piece in Insurance NewsNet entitled 'Excess Mortality' continuing surge causes concern notes that;
Despite some signs that excess mortality rates are declining, life insurance executives and actuaries believe the numbers are alarming and could continue to drag earnings and surge death claims for years to come.
Image from aforementioned article
The Society of Actuaries polls of its members found that in August of last year 85% thought excess morality rates would continue to 2025. Two months ago, the same poll found that 79% believed excess mortality rates will continue through 2026.
Despite clear attempts to play down the figures the article states;
statistics from the U.S. Center of Disease Control that show mortality rates alarmingly rising for different categories. For example, younger adult mortality rates are up more than 20% in 2023, the CDC said. Cause of death data show increased cardiac mortality in all ages. And even as COVID-related causes declined in 2022, others rose, particularly stroke, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases.
Samantha Chow, global leader for Life, Annuity and Benefits Sector at Capgemini said there’s a real question of whether the insurance industry can sustain the enormous payouts the excess mortality rates will dictate.
The real concern for life insurers lies in preparing for an unexpected wave of death claims and the impact on their assets under management. Do they have enough reserves to weather these outflows, given the excess deaths? It's not just about death or health. It is about the industry's ability and readiness to manage this monumental outflow.
Whilst politicians and the media can continue to ignore the excess mortality, the life insurance industry cannot afford to look the other way as it hurts their bottom line.
Most alarming is the increase in excess mortality for young people.
The surge in excess deaths caught carriers off guard
15 – 19 years % difference from 2019
- 2018, 1%
- 2020, 21%
- 2021, 28%
- 2022, 21%
- 2023, (Jan – May), 24%
30 – 34 years % difference from 2019
- 2018, -1%
- 2020, 30%
- 2021, 42%
- 2022, 30%
- 2023, (Jan – May), 23%
40 – 44 years % difference from 2019
- 2018, -2%
- 2020, 30%
- 2021, 45%
- 2022, 30%
- 2023, (Jan – May), 25%
These are previously healthy working age adults it should be noted. A group for whom dying suddenly/unexpectedly does not usually happen. But now it is. In terms of cause of death data shows a marked increase in cardiac mortality in all ages. Other areas showing marked increases are in stroke, diabetes, kidney and liver disease.
Excess deaths US
Excess Deaths Australia
Excess Deaths New Zealand
Excess Deaths Canada
Excess Deaths Ireland
Excess Deaths Netherlands
So there it is laid out in graphs for us, excess mortality across the Western world. These can not be laid at the door of Covid-19. Reasons, such as backlogs, are also running out of steam. Region specific excuses also don’t wash, yes the UK has an ambulance crisis but does it also explain the excess mortality in Canada or Australia?
Let’s wait and see what new excuses they’ll drum up to explain the excess mortality even as they try to sweep it under the carpet. The problem is - excess mortality and autopsies don’t lie! Can we say the same of big pharma, our governments and the mainstream media?
Still from film Died Suddenly available on Rumble
Graphs from Our World in Data -
Example
See also Dr John Campbell